Hundreds of people watched as the Royal Irish Regiment received the freedom of Market Drayton
Troops from the Royal Irish Regiment have been given the freedom of a Shropshire town.
Hundreds watched as soldiers paraded through Market Drayton and received the award from town mayor Kath Brown.
The first battalion has been based at Tern Hill Barracks, outside the town, for the past six years.
The town council said the troops were being honoured for their operations in Afghanistan, as well as their close links with Market Drayton.
More than 60 people from the town wrote to soldiers from the regiment while they were in Afghanistan.
In April 2011, thousands of local people welcomed the regiment home as they paraded through the town after their six-month tour.
Commanding officer, Lt Col Colin Weir said: "We're embedded in this community and we see ourselves as part of the community, a little corner of Ireland in Shropshire."
- Published6 December 2011
- Published4 April 2011
